Can anyone identify this socket outlet

[333rocky333]

Just a distant memory from way back. Maybe the regs changed?

Seem to recall some sort of council guidance for quantity and types (singles/doubles) of sockets in dwellings

 

[JohnW2]

Seem to recall some sort of council guidance for quantity and types (singles/doubles) of sockets in dwellings

Maybe, but we weren't (Harry wasn't) talking about the singles/doubles business - rather he was talking about a suggestion that there had been a time when sockets in kitchens had to be switched ones - do you recall any such dusty reg?

Kind Regards, John

 

[FrodoOne]

Where did that come from? In fact, I can't actually think of any reg which requires any sockets, anywhere, to be switched.

Kind Regards, John

Your comment is "interesting" to me in that I thought that the regulations in Australia were derived from those in the UK, requiring Socket-Outlets to be provided with individuals switches.

The Australian regulations are quoted in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AS/NZS_3112
Switch requirements as follows: -
Regulations require socket-outlets to be "individually controlled by a separate switch that .... operates in all active conductors", subject to three "exceptions":

"A single switch may be used for the control of two socket-outlets located immediately adjacent to each other". (subject to the current rating of the switch to be at least equal to the (a) total current rating of the sockets concerned; or (b) the current rating of the overcurrent protection device concerned, whichever is the lesser value.)
"A socket-outlet that is switched by the insertion and withdrawal of the plug shall be deemed to meet the requirements ....”
”A socket-outlet that is rated at not more than 10 A, installed for the connection of a fixed or stationary appliance or a luminaire and that is not readily accessible for other purposes, need not be controlled by a switch".
(Note that an Australian Winston1 could not quibble with the third "exception", since Australian "Lighting" circuits are rated at 10 A.)

 

[securespark]

Not in 'my time' (or being aware of the regs), but maybe in the distant past! I'm sure that Secure will have an answer

No, I can't recall one either. Going back to the 14th ed., unswitched sockets were more common than switched ones.

Even in the early days of the 15th ed I recall unswitched sockets being specified more frequently.

Maybe it was purely down to price.
I am talking about the house-bashing market, perhaps things were different in commercial work.

 

[securespark]

Switch requirements as follows: -.......

"A socket-outlet that is switched by the insertion and withdrawal of the plug shall be deemed to meet the requirements ....”

So, an unswitched socket, then?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So, an unswitched socket, then?

It is possible to have a socket which actually switches the power by removal of the plug, so still a switched socket. I don't think I have ever come across a 13amp version though, just pointing out that they do exist.

 

[JohnW2]

Your comment is "interesting" to me in that I thought that the regulations in Australia were derived from those in the UK, requiring Socket-Outlets to be provided with individuals switches. The Australian regulations ....
"Regulations require socket-outlets to be "individually controlled by a separate switch that .... operates in all active conductors", subject to three "exceptions" ..... "

Yes, 'interesting' in that it indicates that the Australian regs have not always followed UK ones ...

• As I've said, to the best of my knowledge, UK regulations do not require (and never have required) any sockets to be switched.
• Unswitched sockets have been, and remain, in widespread use in the UK.
• Traditionally, the switches in switched sockets were single-pole, and I think a good few still are.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

It is possible to have a socket which actually switches the power by removal of the plug, so still a switched socket. I don't think I have ever come across a 13amp version though, just pointing out that they do exist.

Nor have I (seen a 13A one which does that) but some 'shaver sockets' certainly do, and I think that at least some of the 'USB sockets' built into 13A sockets these days also do.

Kind Regards, John

 

[FrodoOne]

Yes, 'interesting' in that it indicates that the Australian regs have not always followed UK ones ...

• As I've said, to the best of my knowledge, UK regulations do not require (and never have required) any sockets to be switched.
• Unswitched sockets have been, and remain, in widespread use in the UK.
• Traditionally, the switches in switched sockets were single-pole, and I think a good few still are.

Kind Regards, John

While the Australian regulation quoted (AS/NZS 3000:2007 - and later) states with regard to such a switch that it "operates in all active conductors" this means the "Line" conductor.
Another regulation applying to caravans/mobile homes etc. stipulates that all switches in such vehicles be double pole. (AS/NZS3001:2008)

• All switches installed in transportable structures and intended to be connected to the site supply shall operate in all live (active and neutral) conductors."
• Switches that directly control socket-outlets shall comply with the above requirements."

(Australian regulations refer to the "Line" conductor as the "Active".)

 

[JohnW2]

While the Australian regulation quoted (AS/NZS 3000:2007 - and later) states with regard to such a switch that it "operates in all active conductors" this means the "Line" conductor.

Fair enough, I obviously didn't realise that - I was assumning that "active" was Australian for "Live" (aka Line and Neutral).

Are you therefore saying that the regulation also applies to multi-phase (e.g. 3-phase) sockets since, otherwise, I don't understand why they have used the plural term "all active conductors" (if 'active' = line)?

Kind Regards, John